IF YOU THINK A CHILD IS IN IMMEDIATE DANGER, CALL 911.

Report Child Abuse

1-888-767-2445 OR 1-888-SOS-CHILD

Calm a Crying Baby

1-800-4A-CHILD

Child Abuse and Neglect

In 2021, there were more than 44,000 reports of child abuse and neglect taken by the Arizona Department of Child Safety. The vast majority of child maltreatment is largely preventable, and community is the frontline of child abuse prevention. As a member of your community, there is a lot you can do to strengthen families and prevent maltreatment from happening in the first place.

Reporting

If you suspect abuse, it is your duty to report it, especially if you are a mandatory reporter identified by the Arizona Revised Statute § 13-3620. If you want to learn more about reporting suspected abuse or neglect, watch our 45-minute mandatory reporter training that explains what to look for and how to respond.

In Arizona, all child abuse reports are accepted through the Arizona Department of Child Safety, which is primarily responsible for investigating child maltreatment and determining if children are safe. The department is not designed to be a resource referral for families in need – this is the role of other entities and people who care, such as schools, churches, nonprofits, and community members like you.

Reporting is not the only way to protect children – the first and best way to protect children is to support and strengthen their families so that maltreatment does not occur in the first place.

People like you have a powerful role in supporting and strengthening families. If you’re in a position to make a report about a child or family, you are likely also in the position to be able to provide support. Prevent Child Abuse Arizona believes in mandatory supporters just as much as mandatory reporters. Since we all have a role to play in preventing child abuse before it occurs, we can all consider ourselves mandatory supporters.

Supporting

How can you strengthen families in your community? It starts with viewing families through a lens of empathy, non-judgment, and respect. Consider yourself a parent ally. Instead of only looking for risk factors of abuse, look for a family’s strengths and opportunities to support parents, too. Look for ways to build Protective Factors that buffer stress. These protective factors include parental resilience, social connections, concrete support in times of need, children’s social and emotional competence, and knowledge of parenting. As a community, there are multiple creative ways to build protective factors with families.

In 2020, Prevent Child Abuse Arizona facilitated focus groups around Arizona to learn how various communities in our state build protective factors in families. These discussions led to a toolkit called Lean On Me AZ. This campaign offers tips and tools to seize those everyday chances to make a difference in your community.

Do I Report or Do I Support?

There is no one answer to this question, as it depends on the situation. Keep in mind that if you feel you must make a report, you can also look for opportunities to support. The table below offers some signs and actions for supporting families and reporting child maltreatment.

Signs

Support

Report

  • Parent(s) is unsure of local resources
  • Children mentioning hunger
  • Lack of appropriate or clean clothing
  • Parents navigating challenging child behavior in public spaces
  • Child discloses physical or sexual abuse to you
  • Unexplained bruises, welts, or cuts
  • Sudden change in behavior, such as being fearful or shying away from touch
  • Untreated illness or untreated physical injuries

Actions

Support

Report

  • When you see an overwhelmed parent in the store, offer their child a compliment or tell the parent they are doing a good job. You may never know what a difference a quick encouragement can make.
  • Get to know your neighbors! Exchange phone numbers for emergencies or other small needs.
  • Meet with the family and share your concerns. Ask them if there is anything you may do to help.
  • Be a search engine for local resources. It can be intimidating to find what you need when you need it. Offer to help parents research local resources.

Resources & Hotlines

Crisis and support contacts For Child Abuse

Reporting Numbers in your State please visit:

Child Welfare Information Gateway

Children’s Bureau

A listing of State toll-free numbers for specific agencies to receive and investigate reports of suspected child abuse and neglect.

Hotlines

Safe Baby Haven

866-707-BABY (2229)

AZ Safe Baby Haven

Help available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Safe Haven law identifies places where mothers can safely and anonymously surrender their babies without fear of prosecution.

Childhelp USA

(800) 4-A-CHILD

Operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The hotline offers crisis intervention, information, literature and referrals.

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

24-Hour Hotline and CyberTipline (for reporting child sexual exploitation)

(800) THE-LOST

If you think you have seen a missing child, contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. The Congressionally-authorized Cybertipline is a means for reporting crimes against children. Reports may be made 24-hours a day, 7 days a week online at www.cybertipline.com

National Runaway Safeline

Children’s Bureau

A listing of State toll-free numbers for specific agencies to receive and investigate reports of suspected child abuse and neglect.

Family Resources

Grandparent Information Center

(800) 424-3410

For grandparents raising grandchildren, professionals, support groups, researchers and policy makers. ing to discuss issues related to raising children.

Parent Resources

Arizona’s Children Association

(928) 443-1991
ArizonasChildren.org
Email

Arizona Friends of Foster Care

AFFCF.org

Baby Center

BabyCenter.org

Expert advice, community forums, news and blogs

Birth to Five Helpline 

(877) 705-KIDS (5437)

Free call to child development specialists for any questions about children ages 5 and under.

Never Shake a Baby 

NSBAZ.org

Tips to soothe a crying baby

Parents as Teachers Program

PATP.org

Free home visiting program offering early childhood family education and support

Prevent Child Abuse Arizona

PCAAZ.org

Fun parenting tips, important news updates and calls to action to help Arizona’s children

Text for Baby

Text4Baby.org

Health and safety tips from birth to age 1

The positive Parenting Program

TripleP.net

The Positive Parenting Program 

Yavapai Kids Book

YavapaiKidsBook.org

A searchable directory of all resources and services available to families in Yavapai County.

 

Under Crisis and Support

Yavapai Family Advocacy Center

(928) 775-0669

YFAC.org

Provides care and services to those who have experienced child abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault and/or elder abuse.

Prevent Child Abuse America

(800) CHILDREN

A resource for tips, referrals, and parenting materials. In participating states, calls will be connected to the state chapter. For non-participating states, the national office.

Healthy Families America® (HFA)

(312) 663-3520

An innovative initiative designed to support and educate new parents through voluntary home visitation.

National Children’s Advocacy Center

(256) 533-KIDS (5437)

The National Children’s Advocacy Center is a non-profit organization that provides training, prevention, and treatment services to fight child abuse and neglect.

Circle of Parents

(773) 257-0111×3

A family support program offering free weekly meetings for anyone in a parenting role wanting to discuss issues related to raising children.